Governors for new states announced

Akali Dal leader Surjit Singh Barnala, outgoing Cabinet Secretary Prabhat Kumar and former
Bihar director general of police Dinesh Nandan Sahaya were on Monday appointed governors of the new states of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, respectively.

"The appointments will take effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices," a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said.

While Chhattisgarh comes into being on November one, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand would be created on November nine and November 15, respectively.

Barnala's candidature is understood to have been pushed by the Akali Dal,
which is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance. Prabhat Kumar, who retires as
Cabinet Secretary on Tuesday, and Sahaya, a retired Indian Police Service officer, are experienced administrators.

The capitals of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
would be at Dehradun, Ranchi and Raipur respectively.